[DugwayDuke]

In 1870, 70% of the US population were farmers. In 2008, only 2%. Should we have ‘protected’ those farming jobs?

[baltimorepoet]

In 1870, 70% of the US population were farmers. In 2008, only 2%. Should we have ‘protected’ those farming jobs?

Only if the jobs that replaced them were worse, like plantation slavery.

What is your solution to China's violation of intellectual property rights? The one thing we might have an edge over China with (inventions, high-tech, new stuff) and China cheats and steals and counterfeits.

Your solution to China's Ninebot buying Segway after Ninebot commited patent violation against Segway?

I'm all in favor of free trade when it is actually balanced, doesn't involve the bending over and grabbing the ankles.

And as far as this TPP is concerned, the military has a term: BOHICA.

Bend over, here it comes again.

[Buckeye McFrog]

In 1870, 70% of the US population were farmers. In 2008, only 2%. Should we have ‘protected’ those farming jobs?

Those ex-farmers spent the first half of the 20th. Century flocking into cities to take industrial jobs. Where do you propose that they go next?

[BroJoeK]

DugwayDuke: "In 1870, 70% of the US population were farmers. In 2008, only 2%.
Should we have ‘protected’ those farming jobs?"

And that is the key point everyone needs to grasp.
Just as farming went from 90%+ of Americans in 1776 to barely 2% today, while farming production grows every year, so also US manufacturing output continues to grow while manufacturing employment declines:

Farming output increases over time:

While farming employment shrank to 2% of population:

So also manufacturing output grows:

While manufacturing employment shrinks:

Long term, we should expect that just as in agriculture, the US will produce more & more with fewer & fewer people designing, building, operating and maintaining more capable equipment.

The rest of us will work in services.

[central_va]

Do you support Cruz?